Dean Etheridge
Top of the table New Jersey Devils will be looking for better luck against New York based sides when they face the Rangers on Monday night. Here we look at their chances of success in our latest free NHL betting picks.
- Match; New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils
- Where; Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
- When; Monday, December 12th, 2022
- Puck Drop; 7 pm ET
Yes, the Devils tasted a rare defeat in their home loss to the New York Islanders at the Prudential Centre on Friday night. The 6-4 reversal was their second defeat in their last four matches, and also their second home defeat in recent days, having also lost 4-3 at home to the Predators a few days prior.
The recent defeats don’t seem to have had much impact on their betting odds to win the 2023 Stanley Cup though, as Lindy Ruff’s team are still fourth in the betting at +1000.
Who are the favorites to win the 2023 Stanley Cup?
The favorites to win the trophy this season are Boston. Jim Montgomery’s Bruins are +525 to win their seventh Stanley Cup. The Bruins took over as favorites from the Colorado Avalanche a few days back, after defeating the defending champs 5-1 at the start of December.
In recent days the Avalanche have had a torrid time with both form and injuries, and they are now second favorites in the betting at +650.
Making up the top three in the betting is the Vegas Golden Knights, who are +850 with BetOnline. The Maple Leafs (+1000) join the Devils as fourth favorites. For the record, the Rangers are +2200 with the best NHL hockey betting sites.
The above odds are taken from BetOnline. You can read more about them in our BetOnline sportsbook review. While below, you will find more Stanley Cup betting in our odds table.
| 2023 Stanley Cup Winner Betting |  |  |  |
| Boston Bruins | +525 | +525 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +650 | +600 | +600 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +850 | +800 | +800 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1000 | +1000 | +950 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Florida Panthers | +1800 | +1800 | +1700 |
| Calgary Flames | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| New York Rangers | +2200 | +1900 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2200 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
Rangers back on song after patch run of form
The Rangers are having a mixed season. They are currently in the bottom half of the Metropolitan Division with 33 points from 29 matches – a full 10 points behind the Devils, and the Rangers have played two matches more.
In their last ten games, the Rangers’ record reads 5-4-1, and they are currently on a winning streak of three.
The three wins were at home to the Blues (6-4), away to the Golden Knights (5-1), and away at the Avalanche in a shootout on Friday night. Over the course of the season, the Rangers are 14-10-5.
One point.#GoAvsGohttps://t.co/yjopKXgFng
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 10, 2022
The Devils will be looking to bounce back
In their last outing the Devils suffered a shock 6-4 home defeat to the New York Islanders. The Devils were 5-2 down after the second period, and 6-2 down with seven minutes remaining.
Bringing back two points from Newark. pic.twitter.com/Qf3jeb1RGE
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 10, 2022
Lindy Ruff’s team did throw the kitchen sink at the Islanders in the last few minutes, with the grandstand finish led by Jack Hughes in particular. This wasn’t enough to force overtime though, and the Devils lost their second home fixture in their last three matches at the Prudential Center.
In their last ten, the Devils are 7-2-1, and they currently sit top of the Metropolitan Division. This sees the Devils second in the betting to win the Eastern Conference at +525. Only the Boston Bruins at +285 are ahead of them. The Maple Leafs are also +525.
Overall this season, the Devils are 21-5-1, but are on a losing streak of one. In their last ten matches they are 7-2-1, and more recent, they are 3-1-1 in their last five. Two of the three wins came on the road.
The wins away were at the Flyers (3-2), and at tonight’s opposition, the Rangers (5-3), at the end of November. Ruff’s team also beat the Blackhawks 3-0 last Wednesday in what was a comfortable home win.
Rangers vs Devils; Latest Betting
The best NHL betting sites have this down as a close one. On the moneyline, the Rangers are -101, with the Devils at -109. Home advantage and form seems to be coming into play here, as in other circumstances I would expect the Devils to be shorter than -109.
On the handicap spread, the Rangers are getting the +1.5 goals start. With the points advantage, the Rangers are -265, whilst the Devils are +225.
And finally, on the total points spread, the mark is 6 goals. Over 6 is -108, and under 6 is -102.
Betting Picks
For me, both sides have had mixed form in their last five or six games. The Rangers have beaten the Golden Knights and the Avalanche, both away, in their last two matches though.
But I’m of the theory that winning all three matches in this tough run of fixtures is going to be difficult for them. It would be some achievement, but by the law of averages, and of recent form, the Rangers will probably go and lose.
The Devils are also a bit up and down lately, and after a disappointing defeat in their last match, they may also be due a win. So for my main pick I’m going for the Devils to win on the moneyline.
On the total points spread, it’s again a close call. Matches involving the Rangers have been high scoring recently, whilst the Devils have been the opposite (apart from their last outing). I’m expecting this to be tight though, so under 6 has to be the pick.
